Main Content

[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Jean]

Also local reaction to today's multi billion dollar tobacco verdict.
Plus snow in July??? We'll show you where.
and ten thousand athletes converge on Roanoke- as the Commonwealth game kick off -
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[Talent=Jean]

Plus
News 7 is up next.

[Video-Open]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The verdict is in- Tobacco companies are ordered to pay 145 BILLION DOLLARS-
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:17:03]
[IN Q=]
(AND FINALLY THEY GOT TAGGED AND FINALLY THEY GOT HIT THE DAY OF RECKONING WAS DELAYED IN COMING BUT THEY SHOULD JUST T
AKE IT.)
[RUNS=07]
[OUT Q=should just take it.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The judge read the verdict today in a Miami courtroom- he too seemed staggered by the size of the verdict.
The jury ruled tobacco companies deceived and harmed smokers- and today they ruled the industry must pay.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:16:50]
[IN Q=]
((DAN WEBB/PHILIP MORRIS'ATTONREY: THERE IS NO INDUSTRY IN AMERICA THERE IS PROBABLY NOT A COMPANY IN THE WORLD THAT CAN WITHSTAND A VERDICT OF THIS SIZE AND PAY IT ON TIME.))
[SUPER=01-Dan Webb/Philip Morris' Attorney ]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=pay it on time.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

This was the first smokers class action lawsuit to go to trial- brought by Florida's sick smokers- including Frank Amadeo.
The radiation which killed his throat cancer also destroyed his larynx.
He hasn't been able to swallow food or water for 13-years.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=20:18:13]
((FRANK AMADEO/PLAINTIFF: I'M THIRSTY NOW. WHEN THE INTERVIEW IS OVER I'LL BE THIRSTY. TOMORROW MORNING I'LL BE THIRSTY. THIS TIME NEXT YEAR I'LL BE THIRSTY.))
[SUPER=01-Frank Amadeo/Plaintiff]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=I'll be thirsty (triple out)]
(-----------)
[VO-NAT]

It may be years before anyone sees any money though. Tobacco companies plan appeals that could take decades.
(------------)

Some smokers in the Roanoke area say big tobacco is unfairly being blamed -- since people have a choice of whether or not to light-up.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT20;25:36]
[IN Q=I think that's totally dumb]
((RONCEVERTE POWELL IV: I THINK THAT'S TOTALLY DUMB. WHAT PART OF STUPID DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND. IF YOU SMOKE, YOU SMOKE. THEY GOT IT RIGHT ON THE PACK SURGEON GENERALS WARNING))
[RUNS10]
[OUT Q=general warning]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT20:28:04]
[IN Q=I think it's totally]
((DANA EPPERLY: I THINK IT'S TOTALLY UNFAIR TO THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY. I SMOKE. I KNOW THE CONSEQUENCES AND I'M WILLING TO TAKE THAT RISK))
[RUNS05]
[OUT Q=that risk]

But even if the verdict doesn't stand --one attorney believes it might set a precedent for other cases.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT20:31:05]
[IN Q=It certainly could be a yard]
((MARSHALL MUNDY: IT CERTAINLY COULD BE A YARD STICK FOR LITIGATION IN TOBACCO CASES IN OTHER STATES. OTHER JURIES WILL BE MINDFUL OF THIS AWARD))
[RUNS07]
[OUT Q=this award]))
(-------------)
[Live=Joy Full/Newsroom]

Mundy says this is the largest punitive damage award in our country by far. He says next biggest was the Exxon Valdez case and that was only 12 billion dollars.
[Double Boxes=Jean and Joy/Newsroom]

[Hargrave-Fire]

Investigators have figured out what started Wednesday night's fire at Hargrave Military Academy.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.]

A representative from the school says old wiring between the third and fourth floors of Sanford Hall shorted out and caused the blaze.
The fire caused more than 500-thousand dollars in damage to the century-old building.
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[Danville-Standoff]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sch]
[TAPE#=00-21 TC1:13:50]
[GRAPHIC=Standoff]
[***ANCHOR TAG***]
A Danville man was helping a friend deliver papers and ended up being shot twice this morning-
The shooting sparked a nine hour standoff.
Authorities say the gunman was 33-year old Melvin Adkins-
Family members say Adkins is a troubled person who has been in and out of the hospital for his mental illness.
As Surae Chinn reports, Adkins had apparently stopped taking his medicine-
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It started around]
[SUPER=03-Danville;]
[SUPER=01-Samantha Jones/Suspect's Neighbor; :11]
[SUPER=01-Neal Morris/Danville Police Chief; :38]
[SUPER=01-Gayle Adkins/Suspect's Sister-in Law; :48]
[SUPER=@Surae1; 1:18]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=news 7, Danville.]
(( It started around 4:30 this morning when shots rang out. Two bullets hit a paper carrier while in a vehicle on Arnett Boulevard.
Residents were evacuated.
[SOT 46:11]
((SAMANTHA JONES/NEIGHBOR: I KNOW NO BULLET HAS A NAME. DIDN'T KNOW IF IT WOULD COME THROUGH THE WINDOW. SCARED TO STAY UPRIGHT.))
[RUNS:07]
The suspects family had no fear. Melvin Adkins' brother Paul went inside the home to convince him to come out.
10 hours later Adkins did what he was told. He came out without his high powered rifle, with his hands in the air.

[SOT 54:17]
((NEAL MORRIS/DANVILLE POLICE CHIEF: WE'VE BEEN TALKING TO HIM ALL DAY TO TALK HIM OUT. HE AGREED IF HE TALKED TO HIS MOTHER AND IF SHE WAS OKAY HE WOULD COME OUT.))
[RUNS:10]
[SOT 1:06:46]
((GAYLE ADKINS/SUSPECT'S SISTER IN LAW: I BROKE DOWN IN TEARS CAUSE I WAS GLAD IT WAS ALL OVER. NO ONE ELSE WAS HURT.))

Gayle Adkins says his brother in law didn't' mean to hurt anyone. He is a man who is mentally ill and just stopped taking his medication.
[SOT 1:03:12]
((GAYLE ADKINS/SUSPECT'S SISTER IN LAW: WHEN HE STOPS TAKING THE MEDICINE HE HEARS VOICES.))
[RUNS:04]
Gayle says he's been traumatized ever since he witnessed a family member kill another about 10 years ago.
[SOT1:06:23]
((GAYLE ADKINS/ :AND HE TALKED ABOUT IT TODAY, AND I THINK HE WAS REMEMBERING THAT HIS BROTHER SHOT HIS OTHER BROTHER INFRONT OF HIM.))
((SURAE CHINN/REPORTING: HIS FAMILY HOPES HE'LL BE ABLE TO GET THE NECESSARY TREATMENT. IN THE MEANTIME, MELVIN ADKINS IS BEING CHARGED WITH MALICOUS WOUNDING. HE IS BEING SENT TO CENTRAL STATE HOSPITAL IN PETERBURG.))))
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=JEAN]
[SS=HOLD]

The victim-- 30 year old Jeffrey Womack is in stable condition tonight.

[Roanoke-Police]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A federal investigation of Roanoke Police officers may soon be coming to an end.
An internal probe began more than a year ago, focusing on drug-related problems within the ranks.
The Drug Enforcement Agency took over the investigation in February at the request of city police.
Federal authorities now say they expect their work to be wrapped up "soon."
The regular monthly Grand Jury meets next week, with returns scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. While there are those who say they expect indictments out of this term, there's no telling whether the JULY Grand Jury will return indictments stemming from the investigation of city police.

[Lewis]

A 13-million dollar lawsuit has been brought up against Roanoke, the city Police Chief and Officer William (boo-Shay) Boucher.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/December 31]

It goes back to the shooting on Patton Avenue late last year.
Officer Boucher shot Wilbert Wesley Lewis in the stomach, because he thought Lewis was holding a gun behind his back. But Lewis was UN-armed.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

In the complaint filed in court today, Lewis claims the city "ratified a pattern of unjustified, unreasonable and illegal shootings."

[Estate-Taxes]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Taxes]

It's a tax that some say hurts small business and farmers- The inheritance tax- Senators voted to get rid of it today.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:15:35]
[IN Q=]
((THE YEAS ARE 59, THE NAYS ARE 39. THE BILL IS AGREED TO.))
[RUNS=04]
[OUT Q=is agreed to]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Republicans say the tax often makes it impossible for small business owners and farmers to pass their operations on to their families because they can't afford the tax.
(------------)
[Talent=Jean]
[Graphic=HOLD]

The President has promised to veto it.
The Senate is now working on eliminating the so called marriage penalty-
The President says he'll veto that bill as well.
[Tease1]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[writer=chr]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[SS=None]

Customers of Cory Everson's gym may be out of luck when it comes to getting their money back.
That's next on New Seven.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

And was the federal government responsible for 80 deaths during the Branch-Davidian siege. A jury's verdict coming up.
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[Sports-Preview]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=MST]
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(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUT Q=.....in sports"]
(-----------)
((Hey folks this is Mike Stevens back in the News 7 sports office with highlights from the opening ceremonies of the Comonwealth Games.
George Wythe high school has a new head football coach tonight.
Notre Dame has a new head hoop coach, as well.
And we'll hear from an aspiring 17 year old racer and flex it at the Jan Tana classic.
Tonight on the Big 7.))

[WACO-Decision]

A verdict in the Branch Davidian trial-
The government is found Not guilty - Teresa Estacio has the latest.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Waco, TX/1993; 00]
[SUPER=01-Michael Bradford/U. S. Attorney;12]
[SUPER=01-Michael Caddell/Plaintiff's Attorney;23]
[SUPER=01-Terisa Estacio/Reporting; 1:25]
[RUNS=1:37]
[OUT Q=Waco, Texas.]
((Not guilty on all counts that was the partial verdict by an 5 member advisory jury in the multimillion dollar lawsuit against the federal government.
SOT: MICHAEL BRAEDFORD/US ATTORNEY
SOT: MICHAEL CADDELL/PLAINTIFF'S ATTORNEY
Sect members and relatives of those who died filed a 675 million dollar wrongful death lawsuit against the government accusing federal agents of contributing to the death of nearly 80 Davidians including more than a dozen young children.
During the trial, Plaintiff s attorneys presented evidence claiming agents at the scene instigated the fiery inferno by ramming the building with tanks.
Also, they say, agents withheld firefighting equipment to extinguish the flames.
Some of the governments evidence included autopsy photos revealing Koresh and others died from gunshot wounds one infant was stabbed to death.
All along, the government remained firm in their conviction stating David Koresh holds the sole responsibility for the deaths of his many followers at Mt. Camel on that fateful day.))

[White]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=mce]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A man convicted of first degree murder, was found dead yesterday.
Lynchburg police say Norman Douglas White apparently hanged himself in his cell at the Blue Ridge Regional Jail yesterday evening.
He was taken to Lynchburg General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Results of an autopsy have not been released.
Wednesday, a jury found White guilty of shooting Morris Anthony last July in a drug-related murder.

[Cory-Everson]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=00-23 TC42:09]
[GRAPHIC=None]
State investigators say the owner of Cory Everson's gym in Roanoke County has been selling memberships illegally for almost three years-
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
and now that the gym is closed, members may not be able to get their money back.
William Bailey -- the gym's chief financial officer -- will not talk on camera.
The state Consumer Protection Division says Bailey has not posted the required 50-thousand-dollar bond on gym contracts, so the state cannot reimburse members if the gym stays closed.
The assistant commonwealth's attorney says the gym owner has racked up almost five thousand dollars in fines over the last three years.
Bailey says his accountant posted bond weeks ago and he expects to re-open the gym soon with a new air conditioner.
(------------)

[contractors]

Local contractors are trying to cement a deal with smaller counterparts looking for work.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Twenty business leaders joined forces at the General Contractor's Summit at Virginia Western Community College today.
Analisa Waggie says the networking opportunities the summit provides are normally hard to come by.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[TC:00:32:22]
[IN Q=I think it's]
((I THINK IT'S BECAUSE EVERYBODY IS GOING SO FAST NOWADAYS, WE'RE SO BUSY. PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S OUT THERE, PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHO'S OUT THERE AND WHO DOES THE WORK.))
[SUPER=01-Analisa Waggie/Sweeny and Associates]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=does the work.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Chamber of Commerce holds the summit annually.
(------------)

[Tease2]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[writer=chr]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[SS=None]

The heat is on in parts of Europe-- But in the Swiss Alps it's summer snow that's causing trouble.
More on that when News 7 returns.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

And later, a scare at sea as two navy ships collide.
(----------------)

[Grand]

It was a grand opening for Grand Home Furnishings. But the store has more than just furniture in mind.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

In the extra 30- thousand square feet added to the building, Grand has made its new home a place to entertain customers while they shop.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We've broadened our selection...]
[SUPER=01- Robert Bennett/Grand Home Furnishings]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=kids to have storytelling]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The biggest attraction may be the carousel.
It was handmade for the Grand store. It costs a dollar to ride, but all the money goes to the American Cancer Society.

In addition to the carousel, a wishing fountain was placed in the front of the store. All the coins dropped in will be donated to the Boys Scouts of America.
(------------)

[Snow-Alps]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

If you think our summer weather isn't the greatest-
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Near Luzern, Switzerland;]
take a look at what it's doing in Switzerland- parts of Europe are suffering through one of the coldest summers in decades.
The unusual cold snap brought snow to Alpine passes forcing at least one to close to allow snowplows to clear 12 miles of road.
Tourists though seemed to take it all in stride.
(------------)

[S-Extra]

Everything from women body builders at the Jan Tana to a 17 year old racer at New River to a new coach for the Irish who most recently was a bLue Hen.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=75-Roanoke Co.; :00]
But first in tonight's Extra Point, the most intense three days of competition at the 11th annual Commonwealth Games began this morning with 34 would be Robin Hoods firing arrows through Green Hill park in the archery Competition,
[SUPER=75-Roanoke;]
Junior tennis also took over the courts at the River's Edge.
And tonight, the athletes took over the Roanoke Civic Center.
A peak inside the games' opening ceremonies is on the way.
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[GO TO SCORES]
[WIPE TO MOTION]
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[SUPER=0093-/Salem/1/j/Myrtle Beach/2//Final In 11//Kinston/3/j/Lynchburg/8///;]
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[SUPER=0113-j/Braves/4//Orioles/1///j/Astros/9//Tigers/4//6 Late Games/;]
[RUNS=:25]
[OC...LAST SCORE]
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[S-Common]

The Commonwealth Games of Virginia held its opening ceremonies last night at the Roanoke Civic Center, and as always there was plenty of smiles and fireworks.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
Athletes of all ages, from all walks of life, from various parts of the state gathered inside the Civic Center to listen to some words of wisdom from former olympic gold medalist wrestler, Tom Brands.
The athletes also got to witness some of the talents of their peers and they were able to get an earful from UVa head basketball coach Pete Gillen, right before they got an eyeful of the indoor pyrotechnics.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="I never turn down...]
[SUPER=01-Pete Gillen/UVa Head Basketball Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=...opening ceremonies."]
(------------)

[S-FFE]

The high school football season is just around the corner and this more than any other will feature new coaches in very district.
Last night News 7 Sports has learned that long-time George Wythe high school assistant coach Donnie Pruitt has been named the Maroons new head coach.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-Friday Football Extra; :00]
Pruitt replaces Larry Russell, who has decided to step down after having triple bypass surgery.
Pruitt has been a coach at Wythe since 1978 serving under Russell, Paul Wheeler and three others.
For the past ten years he has been the Maroons defensive coordinator.
(------------)

[S-Tap]

[ANCHOR=MIke]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=TAP]

Total Action Against Poverty in the Roanoke Valley is working hard to fill the seats at Victory Stadium on September 16th for the first annual Western Virginia Education Classic.
Livingstone College will play Virginia Union on that date and this morning you can be one of the first to get tickets for the classic when they go on sale at ten at the Stadium.
The proceeds will benefit project recovery, TAP's program to keep kids in school.

[S-Irish]

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame have a new head basketball coach, but he's not someone with ties to South Bend.

Despite pleas from grads and former coach Digger Phelps to hire a Notre Dame alum, the Irish
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-South Bend, IN; :00]
yesterday selected Delaware head coach Mike Brey to take over the team.
Brey has spent the past five seasons coaching the Blue Hens and before that he helped Duke reach six final fours as an assistant.
He reportedly gets a seven year deal.
(------------)

[S-Race]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-75 1927 tc]
[GRAPHIC=NEW RIVER VALLEY]
Your Hometown Station jumps back in the fast lane tonight for the Kroger-Pepsi 200 at the New River Valley Speedway.
This will be the station's first broadcast from the track in four years.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford/June 30; :00]
And while many of the same local late model legends are still making their way around the track and into each other on occasion - there is definitely a youth movement taking place.
Two weeks ago, 18 year old Jon Wood came home first in one of that night's Late Model features.
And now another kid is trying to make a name for himself at the track.
Blacksburg's Jason Mitcham, a 17 year old, won last week's Limited Sportsman event and he hopes to make the field for the TV race tonight
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I'VE BEEN...]
[SUPER=01-Jason Mitcham/Late Model Rookie Driver; :00]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=....OF FUN."]
(------------)
[VO-NAT con't]
[SUPER=04-Friday Football Extra;]
Mitcham is a rising senior at Blacksburg high school and a member of the Indians' football team, he says racing with the old guys is as exhilarating as crossing the goal line.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="I've been...]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=....right at home."]
(----------------)
[vo nat con't]
Jason and his dad recently purchased all of Ronnie Thomas's cars, engines and equipment to make a run in the late model ranks.
(---------------)
[wipe to pinnacle 1025]
Catch all the racing at 7, LIVE here on Your Hometown Racing Station.
(---------------)

[S-Trucks]

This afternoon at 1:30 you can watch the Craftsman Truck Series make left turns in Nazareth, Pennsylvania in the Chevy Silverado 200.
55 year old Joe Rutttman won the pole for the event in qualifying today. He now has a series' high 6 poles this year.
Jimmy Hensley qualified 11th.
Again, that comes your way at 1:30 this afternoon on WDBJ-7.

[S-MLB]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=MLB]

If you often wonder how the big league baseball teams pay those wild salaries and still maintain the bottom line, the answer is - they don't.
An economic study out today shows that only the Yankees, Rockies and Indians made a profit the last four years.
Conversely, from 1995-99 the Giants lost $97 million.
[GRAPHIC=AVALANCHE]
And Salem's Matt Holliday is the Carolina League's player of the week after hitting at a 407 clip.
He had 13 rbis from July 6th - July 12th.

[Video]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=acr]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Its not a sequel to Titanic, but therer was trouble on the high seas last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[Super=X5052 (loads FX)]
[Super=X5045 (starts FX)]

Two navel vessels collided west of Hawaii.
The U-S-S Denver and the U-S-N-S Yukon had significant damage, but they are able to operate under their own power and are returning to Pearl Harbor.
No injuries were reported.
The ships were conducting replenishment operations when they collided.
(------------)
[Super=X5043 (clears FX)]